By Drew Moody
Special to the Hur Herald
Glenville State College's student chapter of the American Chemical Society is one of 80 schools in the top two categories of citations awarded this year by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Under the guidance of Dr. Kevin Evans the group has captured national recognition the past four consecutive years. Glenville's chapter is one of 52 receiving "commendable" citations. Twenty-eight were selected as "outstanding."
Previously GSC was honored with two "outstanding" citations and one honorable mention.
Kelly Brown, of Calhoun County, shows how the
colors of the exploding helium balloon can be
changed by added copper sulfate, for example.
EDUCATION & COMMUNITY SERVICE
Student ACS members visit middle and high schools, presenting a fast-moving series of science experiments with the hope the program may spark an increased interest in the sciences.
Student demonstrations include:
A hydrogen-filled balloon with a small amount of copper sulfate inside, placed over a small flame creates a green-tinted fiery explosion.
Creating a vacuum in using two flasks - one over the other - pulls ammonia gas into water creating a color-changing "fountain effect."
Empty soda cans, with some moisture inside, is held up-side-down over a flame, creates steam inside the can. If lowered into cold water, with the opening down, a vacuum is created and the rapid cooling crushes the can.
Several pieces of Mentos candy rapidly delivered into a liter of Coke or Pepsi has an immediate violent reaction sending a stream 15-feet or more in the air.
ENCOURAGE INTEREST IN SCIENCE
 GSC's ACS student chapter is probably best known for its educational outreach efforts, primarily to high schools.
For others, they may be labeled as the "science geeks" who blow things up. In any case, they have fun doing it. Plus, these days many lucrative options greet graduates possessing any one of several degree programs available - whether in biology, chemistry, math, or nursing.
"We want to increase interest in the sciences," said advisor Dr. Kevin Evans (left).
John M. Brown, lead ACS presenter, encouraged his Richwood High School audience to find a college that matches their individual needs, and yes....consider a career in science.
John M. Brown explains how a "fountain
effect" was created with the use of a vacuum.
The first priority is to motivate young students to continue their education beyond high school, Evans said. "If these kids go to college we've had a success."
Evans stays consistently in the background, not interfering with student presentations. "I tell them...it's their organization," he said. "I just make sure they represent the college well."
HISTORY OF EXCELLENCE AT GSC
These days, more often than not, the dozens of career opportunities afforded graduates with science, biology, physics or a related field defies any "geek-status labels."
A $10-million science hall renovation was recently completed. Students have access to state-of-the-art lab facilities and extensive testing equipment.
With the school's science professors committed to making concepts real with "hands on" experience, students are far more likely to actually enjoy learning.
Walk through the new science hall and you may see a professor dismantling a tractor engine during a chapter on combustion. Students can see and touch what otherwise are just pictures in their textbook.
Krista Duncan of Ravenswood has a
surprise involving water absorption.
Dr. Evans also serves as administrator of a $4-million NASA research grant. That funding brought more than $1-million in testing and research equipment to Glenville State College. Evans believes GSC has the most advanced science lab facilities of any non-research institution in West Virginia.
Students have access to an assortment of field and lab testing equipment, supported by sophisticated computer software. If necessary, students can even perform DNA testing on plant and animal specimens.
Evans said faculty of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine report that nearly every year their top students are Glenville graduates.
"They (Glenville science graduates) have incredible success whether they want to attend graduate school or medical school."
Two Gilmer County natives - one a physician, the other a dentist - who honed their undergraduate science skills at GSC are Dr. Hillary Miller and Dr. John Westfall.
Dr. Miller is an osteopathic physician practicing medicine at her Glenville clinic, Little Kanawha Family Medicine, located at 604 West Main Street. Miller credits professors at Glenville State College for instilling the belief that a rural "country girl" could be a doctor.
Longtime Glenville dentist, John Westfall, has offices at 809 Mineral Road.
IN GOOD COMPANY
Fellow award winners this year included the University of Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Clemson, DePauw and Texas A&M. For the first time in recent years, another state school earned ACS honors; WVU Institute of Technology received a "commendable" rating as well.
During the past four years Glenville State College's student ACS chapter has logged driving over 3,100 miles, giving 28 demonstrations to an audience of over 3,000.
Evans and members of the Glenville State College ACS student group departed Friday for the spring ACS national meeting held this week in New Orleans.
The American Chemical Society was chartered by the U.S. Congress in 1876. It has more than 160,000 active members and approximately 1,000 student chapters.
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